Save at Home
Obviously, points and miles hobbyists focus on how to save while they travel. Indeed, it’s a fun process earning and redeeming points, miles, and cash back to do so. I enjoy it so much, I focus more on leveraging those rewards currencies to save every day at home than on infrequent travel. But easy methods exist to save at home while you’re far away from it, and they don’t involve points and miles. Here are just a few ways I save at home while traveling.
Tend to the Thermostat
We most clearly save at home while traveling by thoughtfully setting our thermostat before leaving on the trip. In the winter, we keep the heat on, but set it to 60 degrees. We flip that for the summer, setting the air conditioning to 80 degrees. Of course, those numbers can vary based on each individual’s preferences, but we’ve easily come out ahead with our modest tweaks. After each trip, we easily see the savings in our subsequent electric bill. Think it through, take a few extra seconds, and adjust your thermostat before departure.
Unplug
Turning off myriad electronics within the home is a no-brainer prior to any trip. But taking an extra step can save travelers even more.
According to the Department of Energy, plugged-in televisions, computers, and other devices continually drain electricity. This “standby power” amounts to 5 to 10% of residential energy use. This may seem like a relatively minor amount, but savings can add up for avid travelers who unplug their devices before any trips. Prior to leaving, I take a few minutes around the house to unplug the majority of electronics and small appliances (the fridge stays plugged in, of course). I’m saving a bit while also mitigating against fire hazards.
Unsubscribe
Some of us leverage credit card benefits to obtain “free” streaming services. But many pay for streaming services without such a benefit paying them back. Consider cancelling plans – no matter the cost – before traveling. Of course, plenty of services don’t prorate fees for cancellations in the middle of a cycle, so it may make sense to stand pat. But it’s not exactly sensible to pay for another month of service if you’re leaving town a few days later. In those instances, cancel the plan before the new charge hits around a planned trip. You can resubscribe after your return. That way, you’re not paying for something you’re not consuming.
I understand some have services they enjoy using during travel, and I get going cold turkey isn’t necessarily feasible for all. Also, heads up, many services’ “pause subscription” functionality isn’t the same as truly cancelling.
Nix that Grocery Trip
It’s human nature to make that next grocery trip a bit earlier than one truly needs it. As conscientious as my family and I are, we still jump the gun here and there. Instead of heading to the grocery store before a trip, look back in that cabinet or freezer to discover perfectly-fine items to consume before traveling. Sure, a trip for a few staples like milk, eggs, and bread may be necessary, but evaluate quantities and only buy the exact amount of perishable items you need. And during any grocery trip, be vigilant about not overly indulging in and paying extra for convenience items.
Pet Boarding
Individuals who board their pets during trips know how expensive services can be. We occasionally board our two dogs while traveling, and our modestly-priced boarder ends up being our most significant travel-related expense. So then, be attentive when you depart and return on any given trip, and schedule your pet boarding accordingly. With the right itinerary timing, owners can shed a day of boarding expenses on the front and/or back of the trip. Some who spring for pet bathing (including this writer) can strategically request a pickup where only bath fees are incurred – not an additional day/night of boarding expenses.
And, obviously, research and maybe try a few different boarding options. We’ve noticed several perfectly-safe boarders’ billing policies vary widely.
Save at Home – Conclusion
These are the top five ways how my family and I save at home while traveling. I’m confident many more options exist, and I look forward to you chiming in with your strategies in the comments. Savings on any given trip aren’t necessarily jaw-dropping, but I know savings are more significant over time and additional trips. Most importantly, these five options are relatively easy to implement. A few minutes before any trip can end up with a relatively substantial return.
What are your favorite ways to save at home while you travel?
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My check list depends what time of year I’m traveling. If it’s Summer, I turn off the water heater (it’s Hybrid so big savings anyway over conventional heaters), heat pumps (they cool too), anything that’s plugged in unless it needs to stay plugged in while were gone. I also have toggle shutoff valves to water faucets and the washer (have you ever had a water leak when an old fill hose fails?-it’s not pretty.)
During the Winter, when it’s not uncommon for my area to hit – 20F, things change considerably. Thoughts change from trying to save expenses to making sure the essential components that keep a house warm enough to survive extreme cold temperatures are recognized and put into place. The outdoor water faucets had been turned off in the Fall, but I still shut off the washer. My heat pumps are set at 67F, my oil burner heats my radiant heat system so I keep it set at 62F in case my heat pumps can’t operate optimally when the temperature gets too cold. There’s an area in my house that uses water baseboard heating, so I make sure the thermostats are set high enough to avoid the pipe’s freezing, or even worse, bursting. I also have a Generac which could run my home’s entire power needs without a propane refill for 5 days in case the power goes out.
I have no pets anymore, so no expenses there. We start consuming our perishables 2 weeks before we leave. We have Fubo TV and record our favorite program or sporting events to watch in the evening when traveling. I guess I see the savings when I receive my utility bills after I return home from a trip in the Summer. On the other hand, in Winter my thoughts change from saving on normal expenses to making sure that all the vital utilities are working properly to avoid a catastrophic failure due to cold temperatures.
Good stuff, Bill!
water heater temperature, trash pickup, car insurance (depending on state), drip irrigation, mail hold, etc.—lots of other saving tips you can add to your list
How are you saving money by holding your mail, Blue?
Turn off your toilet water. If it leaks while you’re gone, you won’t have a massive water bill waiting upon your return.
Sort of a Debbie Downer outlook there, Jack, but I get it!